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The Inside Track: Why we love skiing in Tignes and Val d'Isère
Tignes and Val d’Isère feel like big hitting resorts with a heart; exploring and rediscovering the ski area reminded us what’s so special about this huge domain.
High-altitude glacier skiing with vast terrain and village choice
Tignes offers one of the Alps’ most snow-sure ski experiences, with glacier terrain, high-altitude slopes and access to over 300km of pistes.
The resorts is divided into distinct villages, it combines lively ski hubs such as Tignes Val Claret and Tignes le Lac, peaceful family bases like Tignes 1800 and traditional alpine charm in Tignes les Brevières, all within the vast Tignes Val d'Isère ski area.
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Tignes Quick Facts
- Ski area: Tignes Val d'Isère
- Resort height: 1550m - 2300m
- Resort top height: 3456m
- Km piste: 300
- Distance from Calais: 625 miles (approx. 9h30)
- Lift pass: ££££
- No. of slopes: 176
- Green slopes: 24
- Blue slopes: 67
- Red slopes: 46
- Black slopes: 32
-
Beginners:
★ ★ ★
-
Intermediate:
★ ★ ★ ★
-
Expert:
★ ★ ★ ★
-
Boarders:
★ ★ ★ ★
Highlights
Access over 300km of varied, high-altitude skiing terrain
Glacier skiing ensures excellent snow conditions throughout the season
Four villages offering lively, family-friendly and traditional atmospheres
Outstanding intermediate terrain with long cruising runs across area
Excellent beginner progression with free lifts and structured zones
Strong après-ski, dining and activity offering across all villages
Travel options
Eurotunnel LeShuttle
All our ski holidays packages include a return standard Eurotunnel LeShuttle crossing.
included
Trains to the French Alps
Train travel to the French Alps is a convenient, low-stress alternative to flying or driving.
bookable
Ferry crossings
Ferry crossings can be arranged on request as an alternative travel option to our standard return Eurotunnel Le Shuttle crossing.
bookable
Private transfers
We can help you get from your arrival airport or train station to your resort.
bookable
Eurotunnel LeShuttle
All our ski holidays packages include a return standard Eurotunnel LeShuttle crossing.
included
Trains to the French Alps
Train travel to the French Alps is a convenient, low-stress alternative to flying or driving.
bookable
Ferry crossings
Ferry crossings can be arranged on request as an alternative travel option to our standard return Eurotunnel Le Shuttle crossing.
bookable
Private transfers
We can help you get from your arrival airport or train station to your resort.
bookable
More Ski Services
More Ski Services
We pride ourselves on going the extra mile.
We pride ourselves on going the extra mile, from helping you navigate ski school options to offering tailored advice on the best resorts and accommodation.
Accommodation
TIGNES VAL CLARET
Quartz
Star rating:
Sleeps: 1 - 12
Type: Self Catered
Accommodation: Apartments
- Ski-in/ski-out
- Newly built
- Wellness area
TIGNES VAL CLARET
Le Nevada
Star rating:
Sleeps: 1 - 8
Type: Self Catered
Accommodation: Apartments
- Family friendly
- Resort centre location
- Indoor pool & leisure facilities
TIGNES LE LAC
Le Telemark
Star rating:
Sleeps: 1 - 12
Type: Self Catered
Accommodation: Apartments
- Family friendly
- Quiet location
- Indoor pool & spa facilities
TIGNES VAL CLARET
La Ferme du Val Claret
Star rating:
Sleeps: 1 - 8
Type: Self Catered
Accommodation: Apartments
- Family friendly
- Foot of slopes
- Access to indoor pool & spa nearby
TIGNES VAL CLARET
Ynycio
Star rating:
Sleeps: 1 - 8
Type: Self Catered
Accommodation: Apartments
- Direct access on skis to the Bollin chairlift
- Direct access on skis to the Grande Motte funicular
- Indoor heated pool & leisure facilities
TIGNES VAL CLARET
Le Jhana
Star rating:
Sleeps: 1 - 8
Type: Self Catered
Accommodation: Apartments
- Ski-in/ski-out
- Access to indoor pool & spa nearby
- Resort centre
TIGNES LE LAC
Le Taos
Star rating:
Sleeps: 1 - 6
Type: Self Catered
Accommodation: Apartments
- Doorstep skiing
- Indoor heated pool & spa facilities
Tignes-Val d-Isere - TIGNES LE LAC
Cap Neige
Star rating:
Sleeps: 1 - 16
Type: Self Catered
Accommodation: Apartments
- Close to the slopes
- Central location
- Indoor pool & spa facilities
Tignes-Val d'Isere - TIGNES 1800
Kalinda
Star rating:
Sleeps: 1 - 10
Type: Self Catered
Accommodation: Apartments
- Indoor pool & leisure facilities
- Ski back to residence
- On-site shops/eateries
Tignes-Val d'Isere - TIGNES 1800
Le Lodge des Neiges
Star rating:
Sleeps: 1 - 10
Type: Self Catered
Accommodation: Apartments
- Ski-in/ski-out position
- 1000m2 leisure area
- Boutique residence
TIGNES LE LAC
Hotel VoulezVous
Star rating:
Sleeps: 1 - 4
Type: Bed & Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel
- 50m from slopes
- 200m from ski lifts
- Indoor pool & spa facilities
Tignes-Val d'Isere - TIGNES 1800
Altaviva
Star rating:
Sleeps: 1 - 8
Type: Self Catered
Accommodation: Apartments
- Ideally located by the slopes
- Indoor pool & spa facilities
- Kids clubs
TIGNES 1800
Freddie
Star rating:
Sleeps: 1 - 7
Type: Self Catered
Accommodation: Apartments
- Ski-in/ski-out
- Newly built
TIGNES LE LAC
Village Montana Tignes
Star rating:
Sleeps: 1 - 10
Type: Self Catered
Accommodation: Apartments
- Ski in/ski out
- 150m from resort centre
- Spa facilities (pay locally)
TIGNES VAL CLARET
Hotel Club Val Claret
Star rating:
Sleeps: 1 - 5
Type: All Inclusive
Accommodation: Hotel
- Newly renovated hotel
- Ski-in/ski-out
- Indoor heated pool & spa facilities
TIGNES LE LAC
Yeti
Star rating:
Sleeps: 1 - 18
Type: Self Catered
Accommodation: Apartments
- Close to ski lift
- Amenities close by
- Spa area
Tignes Val d'Isere - TIGNES LES BRÉVIÈRES
Santa Terra
Star rating:
Sleeps: 1 - 10
Type: Self Catered
Accommodation: Apartments
- Indoor heated pool & spa facilities
- 200m to gondola
- Quiet location in the centre of les Brévières
TIGNES LE LAC
Hotel Le Levanna
Star rating:
Sleeps: 1 - 10
Type: Bed & Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel
- Ski-in/ski-out
- Easy access to the Toviere gondola
- Spa area
TIGNES LE LAC
Hotel Village Montana
Star rating:
Sleeps: 1 - 5
Type: Half Board
Accommodation: Hotel
- Doorstep skiing
- Family friendly
- 250m from resort centre
TIGNES LE LAC
Hotel Les Suites du Montana
Star rating:
Sleeps: 1 - 4
Type: Half Board
Accommodation: Hotel
- Doorstep skiing
- 500m from resort centre
- Gourmet restaurant & bar
Tignes-Val d'Isere - TIGNES LES BRÉVIÈRES
Club Hotel Les Brevieres
Star rating:
Sleeps: 1 - 5
Type: All Inclusive
Accommodation: Hotel
- Convenient position for shops and slopes
- Spa area
Provides fantastic ski holidays to the French Alps. From a smooth booking process to exceptional service... Peak Retreats was rated highly by customers.
FAQs
Frequently asked questions about Tignes
What is Tignes like as a resort?
Multi-village resort with varied atmospheres from lively to peaceful
Purpose-built design prioritising skiing with sympathetic new development
Easy transport links with lifts and free shuttle buses throughout
Tignes is set high in the Haute Tarentaise valley. Geographically it's near the Italian border so you can see Italian peaks, but there is no link with Italy. Tignes le Lac is the central village of the resort. As the name suggests, it has a lake at its heart. In winter, this freezes and becomes a striking focal point, surrounded by sweeping slopes and dramatic peaks.
The resort is designed for efficiency and access, with everything oriented towards making skiing as seamless as possible. At the same time, the setting offers some of the most impressive scenery in the Alps.
Tignes is lively and sociable, especially in winter, with plenty of bars and energy in the main villages. At the same time, quieter bases offer a more relaxed alternative.
What's the difference between the different villages that make up Tignes?
Tignes is made up of several villages, each with its own identity. Tignes Val Claret is the highest and most ski-focused, with direct access to the glacier and a lively atmosphere. Tignes Le Lac sits at the centre, offering convenience, après-ski and the widest choice of shops and restaurants.
Tignes 1800 provides a smaller, quieter, modern base ideal for families. It's built around a reconstruction of the church that was in the original village of Tignes that was flooded to create a hydro-electric dam. Tignes les Brévières offers something completely different, a historic, picturesque village in a wooded valley with a relaxed pace and traditional feel.
You can enjoy calm evenings in Les Brévières or Tignes 1800, or head into Le Lac or Val Claret for a vibrant après-ski scene.
This variety makes it ideal for mixed groups and families. and allows guests to choose the atmosphere that suits them best while still skiing the same vast domain.
How would you sum up the skiing in Tignes?
Vast, well-linked ski area with fast and efficient lift network
High-altitude terrain and glacier skiing up to 3,456m
Outstanding variety from beginner zones to serious off-piste
What is Tignes like for beginners?
Tignes is excellent for beginners, with dedicated Ski Start zones across multiple villages. Free lifts (in Tignes Val Claret and Tignes le Lac) and magic carpets (in Tignes le Lac, 1800 and Val Claret) in clearly structured progression areas make learning easy and accessible.
Progression to gentle blue runs is reassuring as these are also marked as Ski Start zones so other skiers know to slow down and take care. With professional ESF instruction widely praised for its quality, progression is often quick and well-supported.
A unique highlight is the opportunity to ski at altitude early on, with wide blue runs, offering an introduction to the full mountain experience sooner than in many resorts. Two beautiful blue runs, both starting at 3,032m altitude (Génépy and Rabotch) enable novice skiers to enjoy a fabulous downhill run with an impressive 570m vertical drop.
What is Tignes like for intermediates?
For intermediates, Tignes is one of the best resorts in Europe. The ski area offers a huge network of wide blue and red pistes, ideal for long cruising days.
Runs such as long descents into Les Brévières combine scenic tree-lined sections with more open terrain higher up. The Grande Motte glacier has lots of terrain for intermediates with reds for more confident skiers and wide fun blues. It's reached by the Perce-Neige funicular railway that cuts through the mountain. From there you can ski down or take a funicular up to 3456m to enjoy incredible panoramic views.
Snowboarders will appreciate the fact that drag lifts can generally be avoided as gondolas and chairlifts are prevalent.
The scale is a major draw, you can spend a full week discovering new routes without repeating yourself, always backed by reliable snow conditions.
What is Tignes like for advanced skiers?
Advanced skiers are extremely well catered for, with steep black runs, ungroomed Naturide terrain and extensive off-piste.
The Grande Motte glacier delivers for advanced skiers too, offering high-altitude skiing with dramatic views and varied gradients. Iconic runs like the black run, Vallon de la Sache, deliver long, demanding descents with serious vertical (1200m from the Aiguille Percée all the way down to Tignes les Brevières).
Off-piste opportunities are vast across the area, often considered among the best lift-served terrain in the Alps. For those seeking challenge and variety, the potential feels almost endless.
For ski tourers, there are two trails starting from Tignes le Lac; Fastoche with 180m altitude gain and Collu with 390m. These are easier slopes for those new to the discipline.
Does Tignes have a snowpark?
Tignes offers multiple snowparks, boardercross areas and fun runs with features like tunnels and banked turns. These add a playful element and are suitable for all levels, and are ideal for families. The boardercross has is more than 1200m long with some extreme corners! For those new to fun zones, the Easyparks have green and blue routes to try as you get used to freestyle.
Does Tignes offer Nordic skiing?
There are around 44km of cross-country trails, many located at the foot of the ski area, on or around the lake and between villages. These flatter routes provide a scenic and peaceful alternative to alpine skiing.
What activities can you do in Tignes to get your heart pumping?
Tignes is packed with activities, from ice climbing, ice driving and snowmobiling to paragliding and snowshoeing.
The high-altitude setting adds excitement to every experience, whether you’re exploring the mountains or trying something new. Even simple moments, like taking lifts to panoramic viewpoints, offer unforgettable views.
For an adrenaline rush, you can ride an e-mountain bike across the lake in Tignes le Lac! Or try the Bun J Ride; an activity that, almost unbelievably, combines ski jumping, bungee jumping and zip wire.
What is there for families in Tignes?
Families have plenty of choice beyond skiing. Sledging areas, snowtubing (in Tignes Val Claret) and Snake Gliss (a train of connected sledges driven by an instructor - in Tignes le Lac) offer different ways to enjoy the slopes.
For a special experience, we can arrange an evening in a yurt from Tignes le Lac. Snowshoe or walk to an authentic Mongolian yurt, enjoy a traditional Savoyard meal then sledge back down.
Dog sledding is another magical experience you can enjoy, in Tignes les Brevières.
In Tignes le Lac, Aventure Park is an aerial assault course set by the lake. Younger children can climb and play on a series of nets; older ones can try a more physical route with a series of rope challenges and three zip wires.
Does Tignes have a swimming pool or sports centre?
Tignes is very well equipped for relaxation, with facilities such as the Le Lagon aquatic centre in Tignes le Lac, wellness areas and sports complexes.
Le Lagon has a 25m pool for lane swimming and a fun pool with waterslide, toadstool fountain and more. There are also steam rooms, saunas and hot tubs.
Tignespace has brilliant sports facilities from badminton courts to table tennis, a climbing wall and even a golf simulator.
Many accommodations also include pools, saunas and hot tubs, offering a comfortable way to unwind after skiing. These facilities are especially valued by families and those staying longer.
Can I eat out in Tignes?
Tignes offers excellent variety when it comes to food. From cosy Savoyard restaurants to modern cafés and mountain dining, there’s something for every taste.
Local specialities such as fondue and raclette are a must, and many visitors highlight the quality of ingredients and relaxed mountain lunches. High-altitude restaurants also provide spectacular views alongside the food.
What's the après like in Tignes?
Après-ski is a key part of the experience, particularly in Tignes Le Lac and Val Claret. Bars and terraces create a lively atmosphere throughout the afternoon and evening.
The famous Folie Douce is easily accessible and adds a more energetic option for those looking to socialise after skiing. Meanwhile, quieter villages offer a more relaxed alternative.
What shops can I find in Tignes?
Tignes is very well equipped with over 200 shops and services across the resort, including supermarkets, bakeries, ski hire shops and boutiques.
Self-catered stays are particularly convenient, with many accommodations close to shops and slope access, allowing guests to focus entirely on enjoying their holiday.
How big is the Tignes ski area?
Tignes is part of the Tignes Val d'Isère ski area, offering over 300km of pistes. The terrain spans multiple villages and includes glacier skiing, making it one of the largest and most varied ski areas in Europe.
Is Tignes snow-sure?
Yes, Tignes is extremely snow-sure. With skiing above 3,400m and access to the Grande Motte glacier, it offers reliable conditions throughout the season, including late winter and spring. Snowmaking further supports lower slopes.
Are lift passes in Tignes pre-bookable?
Yes, lift passes can be pre-booked with us. These provide full access to the Tignes Val d'Isère ski area, including all villages and glacier terrain. There are also free beginner lifts in certain areas, and additional options can be purchased locally depending on how often you plan to ski.
Can I pre-book ski hire in Tignes?
Yes, ski hire can be pre-booked with us. Shops are available across all villages, often located close to or within accommodation, making collection easy. Pre-booking ensures availability, saves time on arrival and allows you to get straight onto the slopes.
Is childcare available in Tignes?
The ESF ski kindergarten is a good choice and we can pre-book this. This is available from the age of 3 and combines childcare with skiing lessons.
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